Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer launched his new range of bottled beers this week at Earle, his award winning restaurant based in Hale. In addition to the first public assessment of his beers, Simon Rimmer simultaneously hosted an all-singing, all-dancing (literally) charity banquet for over 70 guests to raise funds for the Marina Dalglish Appeal; set up by the Dalglish family in 2005 to improve cancer care in Merseyside. Rimmer auctioned off tickets for the event raising an incredible £115,000!
With football legend King Kenny Dalglish in the kitchen, and Robbie Fowler, Peter Reid and Cold Feet star John Thomson waiting on, it was a surreal night to remember with my biggest heroes says Rimmer, and I was very proud to launch my new beers in the presence of such great company and such a fantastic cause.
Not only did the Northern stars have to put in a proper shift at Rimmers restaurant, they also had to sing for their supper with Reid, Rimmer, Fowler and Thomson all putting in performances on the mic for the pleasure of the paying guests. Needless to say they were rewarded for their efforts in beer!
As for the verdict on Simon Rimmers beers, they were a storming success with guests, selling out within just a few hours. The beer to go with steak went perfectly with the main course of beef fillet, but it was the beer to go with curry that was the overall favourite on the night, with women favouring the beer to go with chicken.
Busy Bee Simon Rimmer owns and runs two successful restaurants (Greens in Didsbury and Earle in Hale), co-presents Channel 4s hit show Sunday Brunch with Tim Lovejoy (which is currently celebrating its first anniversary), and is currently preparing to launch his fifth cookery book in April (Men Love Pies, Girls Like Hummus). And now he has his own, specially handcrafted with Cheshire family brewers Robinsons, to go with steak, chicken and curry.
The new beer range, brewed by Robinsons one of Britains most respected independent family-owned brewers, who have been brewing award-winning beers from their Unicorn Brewery based in Stockport for more than 175 years was created to Simons own specifications after a series of beer tastings at the brewery.
Simon Rimmers beer to go with range is moving beer into a different arena; and for the first time is designed for men and women, both as purchasers and drinkers, to specifically enjoy with food. The beer range boasts innovative labels on the back of each bottle which feature a peel-back recipe specially created by Simon to complement each beer. Rimmers beers will be rolling out to retailers in bottle in selected North West Morrisons stores from April onwards, selected Tesco stores from June onwards and are also available for purchase online at www.simonrimmerbeers.co.uk